CPS said a recent increase in the number of infections per day was most likely due to more transmission within the community
PHILIPSBURG--The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA reported seven new positive cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, December 12.
No new cases were announced on Sunday. The number of active cases has now grown to 131. The total number of confirmed cases for St. Maarten is now 1,232.
Collective Prevention Services (CPS) is monitoring 125 persons who are in home isolation. There are now 174 persons in quarantine based on contact-tracing investigations carried out by CPS.
Six patients remain hospitalised at St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC). The total number of deaths due to COVID-19 remains at 26.
Five recoveries were also reported on Saturday, bringing the total number of persons recovered since the first case surfaced in St. Maarten to 1,075.
The VSA Ministry’s Airport Health Team in collaboration with Health Care Laboratory St. Maarten (HCLS) has tested 1,626 travellers who have arrived at Princess Juliana International Airport, (PJIA) and 8,306 persons throughout the community.
CPS assured that as the numbers continue to fluctuate, it will continue to actively execute its contact-tracing measures.
“Please continue to play your part and remain vigilant when in public places. We are seeing an increase in the numbers and urge all to refrain from mass gatherings, wear your mask and wash your hands frequently,” said CPS.
Last week they identified around fifteen new coronavirus infections per day, while the average had earlier been five per day. “The epidemic EPI curve shows the number of new cases by date of symptom onset,” said CPS. “While there were previous increases in numbers that could be explained by specific clusters, this increase in number of infections per day is most likely due to increased transmission in the community.”
CPS reported seeing clusters starting to appear in nightlife settings similar to at the onset of the second wave. The department said it had not gone over 100 active cases since September 11, and the reports of new cases were alarming. “As we are entering the Christmas season, we urge the public to remain vigilant, as we do not want to head into a state of emergency or lockdown,” CPS urged.
CPS said the department has worked tirelessly to keep cases low and manageable which resulted in code yellow. “If our population’s behaviour does not change, St. Maarten could likely be in code orange by the end of the year or worse.
“This is a firm plea to remain vigilant and avoid mass gatherings. Wear your mask, keep your distance, and wash your hands frequently,” CPS warned.
